Driving out to my daughter's house this morning I was assailed by various overhead signs telling me to 'fasten seat belt' - already had, 'don't drive tired' - tired what? - and 'don't drink and drive' - if I had been drinking I'd have been sure to stop driving that very instant.

Do these nagging signs serve any purpose at all?

No they don't. I recently sat in a meeting for an hour whilst 'ground rules' were being drawn up for the group, until someone said can't we just have one 'Act normal, be polite'. And we settled on that! Bliss.

No, they just distract. It is worse in France - the roads leading into every town are lined with billboards for mile after mile.

They've put those overhead electronic signs up at great expense for warning people about, for instance, accidents ahead, so they feel they have to justify them by putting messages up all the time. Sigh.

The one that irritates me the most (well, amuses, in an irritated, manic sort of way) is the one that says, during Scottish downpours "Beware surface water" – as if we hadn't noticed! No mention of the intense downpouring atmospheric water. I think they're slipping up not to tell us about that as well

Well, the Ministry of the Bleeding Obvious has to find something to do!

There are often just too many messages to comprehend, especially in London. In Wales, they double them up and non-Welsh speakers get diverted trying to work out the pronunciation of the Welsh version. I think the one about tiredness can be useful, though, because I am tempted to drive too long a distance; and the one about keeping your distance. I know its bl**ding obvious, Greatnan, but some of us often forget the bleeding obvious. Maybe it's a man-thing.

The one message that I think is helpful is when, on the motorway, there are chevrons on the road and an exhortation to keep two chevrons distance from the car in front. I do think it serves to remind us that we are tempted to drive too close to the car in front.

I suspect that a plethora of signs and warnings are a distraction to drivers and could, therefore, be quite dangerous.

Agreed, Mishap. Have you noticed that whenever you leave the suggested distance someone always nips in between you and the car in front? The biggest danger in France is tail-gating - I stick rigidly to the speed limit as I cannot afford to lose my licence and I get 20-wheelers practically driving up my bumper. Of course I move over to let them pass whenever it is safe to do so. It is also quite irritating when one HGV is trying to overtake another up a hill, doing about 2 mph faster and causing a huge tail-back of frustrated drivers. I know why it happens - deadlines to meet, limited working hours (ha!) and the need to keep up momentum, but it is still annoying.

The biggest frustration is crawling along in a jam to get to a sign that says SLOW However I think some are useful but some are in place so those who may be injured in an accident, caused by themselves or others, have less cause to blame the highways authority because warnings etc have been given. Cynical..moi?

In our small town, they have, at great expense, created a new scheme called 'shared space', in the main shopping area. This means that drivers have to choose to give way at a minor junction and the only pelican crossing has disappeared in favour of lots of places where pedestrians have priority. Difficult to explain, but it has worked. At the crossroads there are two mini roundabouts that the locals seem to cope with easily though outsiders are a bit puzzled. The place is designed for the 'café culture' - just a pity the weather isn't.

The messages are good. No harm in reminding drivers about things which often cause accidents.

Can't see any reason to complain about them at all. Is your tolerance level really that low?!

It is nothing to do with tolerance levels - absent explained exactly why they are dangerous - they are distracting.

I hate the distance chevrons. I find them hypnotic and end up focussing on them rather that what's happening around me.

The only sign I like is the one that flashes up your speed usually when you're driving through a village. If you're within the speed limit you get a green number and a smiley face and if you're not you get a red number and a sad face. I think it's useful because often you're coming from 60 to 30 in a short space of time as you enter the village and it's a useful reminder.

Yes, I like those speed warning signs too. I can't afford to lose my licence and it is good to have a reminder when you are entering a small village along a fast, main road.

When we were in New Mexico we kept on seeing signs which said "Winds May Blow"! It always amused me - well, yes, winds do blow.

I was amused pre Olympics when up here in the North East I saw occasional signs on the motorways saying to plan journeys because of possible delays - the nearest venue was St. James's Park in Newcastle and they are used to having 52,000 people to football matches every other Saturday in the football season.

The one I really hate is 'Think Bike' when everyone knows the majority if bikers don't, can't or won't think.

Nfk That's a bit harsh. It's more like a minority of bikers who don't can't or won't think. Btw I have no axe to grind as I don't drive a car and can't ride a bike.

Having seen some spectacularly dangerous driving around cyclists and bikers when I've been riding my 'Miss Marple' bike gently along the cycle path, I will never risk riding on the road.

It's the motor bikes I mean, like on the signs. Speed limits, approaching vehicles blind bends, solid white lines don't apply to them. I can see the lure of a country road with it's tempting bends but I object to the onus being put onto the motorist to watch out for them. I didn't realise how much I'd got used to their bad driving until a few weeks back when a large black machine sat behind me most of the way home, within the speed limit and with a good stopping distance. I was most unnerved and was quite relieved when he finally cruised past me - when it was safe to do so. It was a Harley.

My reply has now been lost twice. Obviously, my message was even irritating the computer!

The signs relating to being tired are usually miles away from the next service station, doh!!!!!!!!
I find them distracting and unhelpful - unless there's 'congestion ahead' which sets me into a panic.

The speed reduction ones I find awkward because I'm usually the only one on the road who tries to obey them. It's a pain in the proverbial when you dutifully follow 60 to 50 to 40 whilst the rest of the world hurtles past, especially when there is a road clear sign and there has been nothing untowards grrrrrr

I think the signs are a good idea , why not post them if they stop just one accident then all to the good . One thing I did notice in France when wasn"t in place when I was last there that they all have flourecsent jackets hanging over seats so if there is an accident , they have to be put on . One we should maybe copy

I'm sorry Greatnan. Perhaps I should have said concentration levels rather than toleration levels, if they are distracting.

Oh! That's even worse!

Dumpling I dislike the 'Think Bike' signs too. Quite apart from the insult to one's sensibilities in the grammar department, there is the implication that bikers are more worthy of one's consideration than other road users, and it is hard to see why this could be justified.

"insult to one's sensibilities in the grammar department"

Unbelievable!

They get killed.

If you have a young (or even not young) relative who rides a motorbike, I am sure that he/she could give you plenty of reasons why the 'think bike' signs are a good thing. One of the main causes of injury and death among bikers is the carelessness of motorists.

I agree. We, (some of us) as car drivers, are so used to being aware of other car drivers on the roads that it's all too easy to miss a motorbike - sometimes they seem to appear out of nowhere and it's not necessarily because they're speeding, it's just that they haven't the bulk of a car and don't impinge on our consciousness as much. I've been shocked more than once by one overtaking me when I hadn't even realised it was behind me!

erm! may I step in here annodomini you are very much right in your comment.
As a motorbike rider and a car driver I can see both sides.Car drivers cannot judge the speed of motorbikes (and when I say speed, I don't mean 70ph) I am talking any speed 20mph 30 mph etc etc .. the amount of car drivers that pull out usualy from junctions in front of me is unbelievable! you can get almost up to them and then suddenly the car driver looks at you and pulls out! like your invisible! there has just been a petition to include 2 motorcyle questions in the car theory test but I believe it hasn't been passed.
A motorcyclists has to ride deffensively if he or she wants to survive the day, they have to try and predict what the car driver is about to do then be prepared for them doing the complete opposite,yes I see as others do..motorcylist riding over the white line, at speeds that are just stupid and there will always be these "type" of riders, just the same as there are those "type" of car drivers.who don't give a thought about other peoples safety, they come out of no where at terrific speeds, Im sure we have all been driving along quite comfortably in our cars when!!suddenly this maniac of a motorcyclist apears next to our car window! In this country we are not geared up for looking out for pedal cyclist/motorcyclist. I ride a bright red motorcycle, I wear a bright coloured helmet, I wear a very high visibilty tabard but still we hear those famous words sorry I didn't see you!
all I can say is..do check your mirrors and do look out for motorcyclists, do! look right again before pulling out of a junction, I'm sure we have all seen the add where the chap looks right then left and pulls out, and then next thing a motorcyclist is coming through his drivers window!
we are not all maniacs,,I am a 57 yr old female who enjoys riding a motorcycle for pleasure.It has also made me a better car driver as now I do look out for motorcycles and no I havn't got a sticker in my rear window

Anagram it wasn't me! lol honestly

bikergran - but you are so right - car drivers should be more aware of motorbikers and cyclists - although cyclists tend to be slower, of course, and tend to ride near the kerb!

JO4 It is not just bikers who get killed.
My worst driving experience was some years ago on the A66 near Bassethwaite. I was doing about 50 mph on a stretch of dual carriageway when suddenly a woman and two children leaped out if the bushes and ran across the road straight in front of the car.
By the grace of God (sorry if that causes offence to anyone) I didn't kill or even injure them but the episode haunted me for some time afterwards and I still think about it 20 years on.
So I don't give special consideration to bikers.
I give special consideration to all other road users including pedestrians, in the sense that I assume everyone else is an idiot and is going to behave on the road like an idiot.

What amuses me in France is the sign warning agains a wobbly road or unstable verge of the road. It is surely cheaper to put up these signs than to do a bit of road mending.
If cyclists were experienced drivers and car drivers occasionally rode a bike there would not be so many accidents. I take care to give cyclists enough space and when on my bike I ride as if all motorists were inconsiderate. I put my own safety first and dismount ( what some cyclists refuse to do) and push my bike across a busy road if necessary.
Your life remains your own responsibility. no one owes you courtesy on the road, but a surprising amount of drivers and lorry drivers are helpful and courteous.

Charlotta I seem to recall from an interview with some "exerts" on the television news that something like 90% of all cyclists are also car drivers, so they really should be able to see both sides of the matter. I would disagree with the first part of your last sentence. I think all drivers of any kind of vehicle as well as cyclists, pedestrians and any other road users owe courtesy to each other – all the more so when you are in charge of a lethal weapon.

The cyclists and motorcyclists here in Bristol seem to have a death wish! Very rarely does a cyclist stop at a red light and the ton up brigade delight in overtaking on double lines and blind bends! I now yell 'kidney donor' at them!
It doesn't do any good and they can't hear me, but it makes me feel better.

I think the majority of us are considerate people whatever mode of transport we use, car/bike/scooter/pedal bike, there are a minority who once behind the wheel/handlebars are agressive from the word go, also it goes for pedestrians,you know! the ones that deliberately look at you and walk out in front of you or show off to their mates how brave they are to swagger across in front of you knowing full well you have!to slow down or stop,the ones that are on mobiles and are oblivious that they have stepped onto the road.

you really can't cycle believing that drivers OWE you some form of courtesy. We're not discussing an ideal life here but real life.
Some cyclists are crazy and there are a lot of deaths per head of moror cycling population compared to those who drive cars, these are basic facts and as you take responsibility for you own safety when on a bike, its better you don't rely on others being courteous.
That about being an organ doner is unfortunately true. You have more chance of getting young organs to transplant in summer. Some hospitals prepare for it.

I think all road users owe each other the same degree of courtesy - but cyclists and motorbikers are simply less visible and more vulnerable, so perhaps deserve more consideration. All road users have to give way to pedestrians, but some of them really do seem to have a death wish...

I would like to echo what others have said about motorbikers being less visible. In my view car drivers (myself included) are often oblivious to their presence. I also tended to blame them for accidents until my son became a biker and he began to talk to me about the dangers. He rides very defensively but there's only so much a biker can do. He had a bad accident on a busy roundabout when he was commuting to work one morning. A car driver simply pulled on in front of him leaving him nowhere to go. She got a dented driver's door and a bad fright (he said he heard her scream as his head made contact with her door); he was the one on the floor in heavy traffic with a written off motorbike. He was very lucky not to be killed, and to walk away from the accident but he did have shoulder and knee injuries that took months to heal and still cause him some problems.

nightowl, I was so relieved when my DS sold his motorbike, after a couple of - fortunately minor - spills. I do hope that none of the GC ever decide to take to two wheels. I used to ride a bright orange moped that would do no more than 35mph with the wind behind it going downhill, but even so there were a few near misses that were none of my making.

I know what you mean anno, I have spent the last few years worrying about my DS every time I think about him being on his bike. He took it off the road a year ago when a change of job meant he was commuting by train - but over the summer he has been working on it (it all seems to be part of the fun ) and I know he is itching to get on it again. I think it's just something in some boys/ men - he wanted a motorbike from a very early age, but his brother is not interested at all.

I fully accept that there are some sensible bikers and I do take care at road junctions being very aware of how easy it is to loose a cyclist or biker behind the windscreen pillar.

Perhaps it's a Norfolk thing that bikers here believe themselves to be invincible. Most ignore speed limits, overtaking in the silliest places regardless of road markings or in heavy traffic sitting just by the car's off side rear bumper which is very distracting as one never knows when they're going to squeeze past.

We're also a popular area for racing cyclists. Or rather men who fancy themselves as such. They pedal like mad, going nowhere very fast with Lycra clad wobbly buttocks. Getting stuck behind one is not a pleasant experience. I do wish someone would tell them - they do NOT look sexy!

Git next door is a keen cyclist. Age 72, he thinks his Lycra makes him look sexy!

Take a photo of him from behind just as he's mounting his bike, jeni!

Just picked up my Motor Cycle monthly paper.. was glancing through it and notice this.
Bike fatalities figures down, (DfT) show a 10% decrease in motorcycle fatalities 2010/2012 whilst over the same period Cyclist casulties rose 4%, plus those involving car occupants rose 6% with pedestrians a 12% rise.

I wonder how many of those pedestrians were wearing earphones at the time - or texting?

speaking of hearing! earphones in etc...has anyone seen or come across these new electric cars! a friend of my daughters has just bought one.think it was a Twingo or something like that...but the one thing that struck me ! this car had pulled up right behind me! and I hadn't heard a thing! they are so quiet, they can travel at 30 mph,, can you imagine the possibilities of people being knocked down ( blind or deaf people or chidren that "listen " for cars)these cars are silent..in fact just like the mobility scooters that glide around, they are so quiet you don't realise they are there

I used to be a cyclist, and these days I can't understand why it isn't illegal to wear headphones while on a bike. It's so important to hear what's coming up behind you.
All these road signs are designed just for me! I remember each and every one of them, all those road safety commercials, "Dip, don't dazzle", etc. I do regularly "think bike". When I worked for the NHS, the bosses decided it would be helpful to write "think drink" on their vehicles. Intended to deter us from taking alcohol, it did the opposite!

also I think it should be made legal to have to wear cycle helmets, some of these cyclists travel 20/30 mph! (I know! as they have almost kept up with the car)!

When I am walking on our nice wide pavements in the shopping area of our small town, I am often passed by youngsters on bikes which come up silently behind me. I often wonder: what would happen if I suddenly took a step to the side - it could easily happen - would the rider come off worse or would I? Whatever happened to bicycle bells?

You can still get bicycle bells and fuddy duddy type bikes like what I have have them. But not the snazzy bikes it seems.

That happens to me with some of those 'silent' mobility scooters, anno, and I've had the same thoughts about stepping sideways and possibly being seriously injured!

Anagram there has been lots of accidents with the mobility scooters! a little girl was run over by one and had her hair/scalp ripped off !!! the trouble with these things is they do not need to take out insurance, have you seen the size!! of some of these vehicles...DH has one but just a small one..but even that has gone over my toes at times (my own fault) !!